“Live From Bedford-Stuyvesant…” (by J. Tinsley)

Appreciating something after it’s gone is the exact opposite of one of life’s primary lessons. But at least there are re-runs and DVD sets. The semi-autobiographical sitcom detailing Chris Rock’s childhood in Brooklyn, New York, Everybody Hates Chris, has been off the air since last year. The sad thing is, it was never truly appreciated on my part until earlier this year.

During the month of February, D.C. was under what felt like 60 feet of snow. All that idle time eventually led to me discovering a marathon of Chris’s creation. To make a long story much shorter, it now ranks as one of the few shows outside of anything ESPN related, Law & Order: SVU and a few other programs I’ll even pay attention to. “Martin” it is not, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its fair share of knee-slapping moments.

I can kill an entire day watching Chris encounter some of the most hilariously, depressing moments of his young Bed-Stuy life. The narration from Rock himself pushes it over the top. Even the racist teacher is entertaining. So, yeah, Everybody Hates Chris = quality television.

It even allowed Terry Crews to come up and become known for something more than just “Damon.” Terry Tate’s twin brother locked down a reality show and another sitcom because his tenure on Everybody… For as much as I support progression in any form, I could do without those Old Spice commercials, however.